SR71, As Adopted by Senate, June 6, 2017

            Senator Marleau offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 71.

            A resolution to recognize June 6, 2017, as Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Awareness Day.

            Whereas, Diabetes affects more than 29 million Americans and is a chronic condition that occurs when the body does not properly produce or use the hormone insulin that regulates blood sugar; and

            Whereas, Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, representing an estimated 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed adult diabetes cases in the United States; and

            Whereas, Michigan has a higher prevalence of diabetes than the nation as a whole.  It is estimated that 701,000 Michigan adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, and another 364,400 have undiagnosed diabetes; and

            Whereas, Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in Michigan; and

             Whereas, Diabetes costs an estimated $10.5 billion in Michigan each year; and

            Whereas, Cardiovascular disease is a term used to define problems with the heart and blood vessels such as heart attacks, heart failure and strokes; and

            Whereas, Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death associated with diabetes due to complications associated with diabetes, such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure and obesity; and

            Whereas, In Michigan, 28 percent of people with diabetes aged 18 and older reported having cardiovascular disease; and

            Whereas, People with type 2 diabetes are at two to four times greater risk for developing heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease at an earlier age; and

            Whereas, Findings from a recent study revealing 52 percent of adults living with type 2 diabetes are unaware they are at an increased risk; and

            Whereas, Two out of three deaths in people with type 2 diabetes are attributed to cardiovascular disease in the United States, accounting for 68 percent of deaths in people with type 2 diabetes; and

Whereas, The total health care costs for the treatment of diabetes is reported to be approximately $245 billion annually, with direct medical costs accounting for $176 billion of the total costs in 2013, and cardiovascular disease accounting for 28 percent of costs for treating diabetes patients; and

Whereas, Appropriate awareness and education about the cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes can effectively reduce the overall outcome and financial burden of the illness; and

            Whereas, The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and other relevant partners seek to promote awareness, education, and action related to diabetes and the link to cardiovascular disease; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we recognize June 6, 2017, as Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Awareness Day; and be further

            Resolved, That we encourage state agencies, public health authorities, healthcare providers, employers, insurers, and other healthcare stakeholders to promote education and awareness of the connection between diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the risk factors, and opportunities to promote better health for the individuals and populations at risk.